A double-crosslinked nanocellulose-reinforced dexamethasone-loaded collagen hydrogel for corneal application and sustained anti-inflammatory activity.

In cases of blinding disease or trauma, hydrogels have been proposed as scaffolds for corneal regeneration and vehicles for ocular drug delivery. Restoration of corneal transparency, augmenting a thin cornea and postoperative drug delivery are particularly challenging in resource-limited regions where drug availability and patient compliance may be suboptimal. Here, we report a bioengineered hydrogel based on porcine skin collagen as an alternative to human donor corneal tissue for applications where long-term stability of the hydrogel is required.

Association of Placental Growth Factor and Angiopoietin in Human Retinal Endothelial Cell-Pericyte co-Cultures and iPSC-Derived Vascular Organoids.

Purpose: Placental growth factor (PlGF) and Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 are two proteins that are involved in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) growth and vasculature formation. In the retina and endothelial cells, pericytes are the major source of both molecules. The purpose of this study is to examine the association of PlGF and Ang-1 with human EC/pericyte co-cultures and iPSC-derived vascular organoids.

Bioengineered corneal tissue for minimally invasive vision restoration in advanced keratoconus in two clinical cohorts.

Visual impairment from corneal stromal disease affects millions worldwide. We describe a cell-free engineered corneal tissue, bioengineered porcine construct, double crosslinked (BPCDX) and a minimally invasive surgical method for its implantation. In a pilot feasibility study in India and Iran (clinicaltrials.

Data mining and network analysis reveals C-X-C chemokine receptor type 5 is involved in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration.

Our previous studies found that the C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) loss leads to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction and AMD pathogenesis. The current study aimed to characterize the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structure of CXCR5 and analyze its interactions with AMD-related risk genes. The sequence alignments, homology model of CXCR5 and structural assessment analysis were performed.

NF-κB activation in retinal microglia is involved in the inflammatory and neovascularization signaling in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in mice.

Purpose: To evaluate Nuclear Factor NF-κB (NF-κB) signaling on microglia activation, migration, and angiogenesis in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods: Nine-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to IMD-0354 treated or untreated groups (5 mice, 10 eyes per group). CNV was induced with a 532-nm laser.